Document GKB3Dm770aJYQ6jKX0nq2E2Nx

May 12, 1964 Dr. A. G. Oettle Head : Cancer Research Unit of the National Cancer Association of S.A. The Sou th African Institute for Medic al Research . P. 0. Bo:x 1038 Johanne sburg, South Africa Dear Doctor Oettle: I have just received your letter of May 5th, and I hasten to invite you to yisit us in Cincinnati in the latter part of the month of June. On the question of whether your visit would be profitable to you in connection with your specific interests, you will have to make your own decision. We are engaged now, as we have been for many years, in the investigation of certain aspects of the problem of cancer. I am not much impressed by the likelihood that either kerosene or lead have any very significant association with cancer. Petroleum products, in general, are under a degree of suspicion in this relationship, for obvious reasons, and I would not deny that these reasons may be valid. I do not think they are, however. As to the relationship of lead compounds to any form of human cancer, I have never found any evidence. Indeed, a reverse effect (inhibitory) seems more likely to be the case. I am aware of some of the expert" mental work which has shown - or has appeared, to show - that the ab sorption of appreciable quantities of lead by the rat (perhaps by cer tain strains df rats) is associated with a relatively high incidence of malignant tumors of the kidney. This, in itself, has little signi ficance to me. In saying this, I realize full well that the lack of evidence of a relationship between lead absorption (as it is seen in industry) and malignant disease of the kidney (or elsewhere), is not decisive for a number of reasons, but I repeat that I am not aware of any presently available evidence that any positive association exists. I am sure that this is worthy of investigation, but this is not the direction df our concern about lead compounds at this time. Despite the tenor of the preceding paragraph, I can assure you that we shall bo pleased to have you visit us, and explore what we are doing. Sincerely yours, RAKabb Robert A. Kehoe, M.D. N 6144 T h e s o u t h Af r ic a n in s t it u t e f o r me d ic a l Re s e a r c h , d ie Su id -a f r ik a a n s e In s t it u u t v ir me d ie s e Na v o r s in g . P.O . BOX PO SB U S TEL. ADR. x *B A C T E R IA * IN R EPLY PL E A SE QUOTE R EFER EN C E NO. G E L IE W E M E T ANTW OORD T E ,,VERWYS N R . Dr. R. H . Kehoe, .` | Kettering Laboratories, ' Department of Preventive Medicine and Industrial Health College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, * ' ClNCIREATI 19. " ' 0 H I 0, U.S.A. .' HOSPITAL. S T ., H O S P IT AA L ST R ., JO H ANNESBURG , w . , , " SO U TH A FR IC a / s U IO-AFRIKA 5th May, 1964. ra Dear Dir. Keboe, .; '' . " . *; ., _ ` . I have noticed with great interest the symposium on lead which has recently been published by Archives of Environmental Health. I hope to be in Toronto ]up till June, 18th if all goes according to plan and I have wondered whether it would be proflta- ble to visit your laboratory just after this date. . I shall briefly outline my interest and perhaps you will be kind enough to tell me whetheh you think there is anything in the idea and whether you think: your laboratory can be of assistance in discussions. 1, . : . .' ' ' ' _ i ' - '' '\ In South Africa we have recently noted an epidemic increase of oesophagus cancer among the Bantu and Coloured races, but not ., ^mong the Indians and Whites. This has occurred subsequently to World War II and I wondered' whether it might be possible if this increase could be been related to the use of Kerosene tins for home brewed beer. During the war.years these tins were lead plated ;r. instead and it Is possible, therefore, that those exposed to this beer received a dose of oral lead. Is It possible that any workers in your Institution be able to consider the association between oesophagus cancer and lead and would it be profitable for me to visit your Institution? i . .. . . : , ; ' Yours sincerely, .* Head : Cancer Research Unit of the Rational Cancer Association of S.A... `Vi. ',';V ';;,^Y;vO ?;&?.?? f $ z I M p * L * ft * 1 ' ** r ft ' "*1 "* |* * ll-* *" " 1 fiflt* 6 M R .< f^ G N IK lB Y -N LUGBRIEF j i '` A ^'A IR kL E T T E R ^S HHi OULD N svINGESLUIT WORD NIE: ' ASIENIGIETS&'- > n fJ T A lN WEL INGESLUIT : WORD, SAL' DIE ` AfJY ^E'pKN. wCrLOSURE ..BRIEF . BEBOET OF PER lANDPOS V D O E S ; W IL ti'BE'rSURC ^ M a n g e s t u u r w o r d . : & * r : BYf'SRFACE ,,HAIL NAAM ENCADRES VAWFSE -SENDER'S -' NAM E'., PM i . *> : .! ' 1',_ '* ft 'if j, t_ -ftI / ," . . fc * - V ,,^1 * l j -1 t I , + -M45^ Iswhiinw3*wf*i8 - S F ' l?ivk g 5fl-i Jft.:*S'-* ,_,_ ....... r-ftft- JU INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAI; RESEARCH,! 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